YAZD -- Islamic Republic of Iran Police (IRIP) of Yazd Province said here Saturday that over 55 illegal foreigners have been arrested in the Meybod area.

It added that the illegal foreigners were arrested as part of the operation to inspect vehicles for illicit drug and illegal foreigners.

He added that the individuals were hiding on a truck and intended to go to other provinces.

The report did not comment on the nationality of the detainees or time of their arrest, but added that they will be repatriated to their country after going through the legal procedures.

It also said as part of the similar operation in Ardekan, over 1.15kg of heroin was seized from two foreigners.

Also, Deputy Governor General of Yazd Province in Charge of Alien and Foreign Immigrants Affairs Mohammad-Kazem Sadeqi told IRNA earlier in June that 3,079 Afghans have returned home since April 9. He said there are about 700,000 Afghans residing in Yazd.

The voluntary repatriation of Afghans is governed by a tripartite accord signed in Geneva on April 3, by Iran, Afghanistan and the UNHCR which envisages the repatriation of 400,000 nationals of that country by the end of the current year.

Since the implementation of the plan, all legal and political grounds for further stay of Afghan refugees in Iran have been removed and nationals of that country who remain are no longer subject to the 1951 Geneva Convention on Refugees, officials said.

Afghan refugees will be required to present passports and valid visas to enter Iran as of the date of the accord, and illegal entrants will be dealt with according to the laws of the land.

Iran has been sheltering more than two million Afghan refugees fleeing from civil wars and severe drought in Afghanistan over the past two decades.